Lacklustre Lyon face soft-touch Schalke

It started with a whisper that became a shout. Like an errant snowball, the singing gained momentum and rolled down from the GerlandÃ¢ÂÂs virage nord, collecting bodies as it went before spilling out on the pitch in a cacophonous roar. The chant was now unmistakable. Ã¢ÂÂPuel out! Puel out!Ã¢ÂÂ

Lyon had conceded an avoidable equaliser at home to Valenciennes, taking a hit from GaÃÂ«tan Bong in the 69th minute who quietly wandered into the box for a corner and found himself so inexplicably unmarked it was like the opposing defenders had been, well, smoking something.

This was supposed to be Ã¢ÂÂthe hour of truthÃ¢ÂÂ, at least according to LÃ¢ÂÂÃÂquipeÃ¢ÂÂs front-page headline on Saturday morning, although someone should really tell them that a match lasts 90 minutes. Instead, it felt like Groundhog Day as a lacklustre Lyon played out a disappointing 1-1 draw.

PuelÃ¢ÂÂs side have collected just five points from their opening five games in Le Championnat and lie 16th in the table, making it the clubÃ¢ÂÂs worst start to a league campaign since the 1995-96 season. Believe this blog when we tell you that thereÃ¢ÂÂs no need to dig out your reference books folks - Raymond Domenech had gone by then.

Admittedly, OLÃ¢ÂÂs supporters have been spoilt over the last decade, but given Alain Perrin couldnÃ¢ÂÂt even screw things up domestically, they naturally feel entitled to ask why Puel is still in the job.

In August, LyonÃ¢ÂÂs blue-sky-thinking owner, the charismatic Jean-Michel Aulas, had said: Ã¢ÂÂWe are going to try and win the Champions League before the new stadium is built.Ã¢ÂÂ Despite his natural disposition for making bold statements, AulasÃ¢ÂÂ words should be taken with a pinch of salt even in light of LyonÃ¢ÂÂs first appearance in the semi-finals of EuropeÃ¢ÂÂs elite club competition only five months ago.

The Champions League could be a pleasant distraction for Puel

Metaphorically-speaking, the weather vane placed on top of the Gerland had blown back towards winning the league, a feat once considered routine, which Lyon now havenÃ¢ÂÂt achieved in each of the last two seasons under Puel who prickles at being the only coach not to win it with the club this decade.

Ã¢ÂÂOf course we want to win the title,Ã¢ÂÂ he snapped in July. Ã¢ÂÂWhat do you want me to say? Ã¢ÂÂWe want to win the title! We want to win the title!Ã¢ÂÂ I donÃ¢ÂÂt need to tell you what to think. Rather itÃ¢ÂÂs knowing how to go looking for it, thatÃ¢ÂÂs the idea.Ã¢ÂÂ

It was a clumsily constructed message to placate the fans. But it appears old habits die-hard. Puel soon retreated within himself, inducing a yawn by adding that: Ã¢ÂÂLast season we were the team who had the most shots and one of those who made the most passesÃ¢ÂÂ.

Gourcuff was understanably welcomed like Ã¢ÂÂa rock starÃ¢ÂÂ, at least thatÃ¢ÂÂs how he described having dinner with Cris. But the 24-year-old offered a disclaimer. Ã¢ÂÂI am not the saviour,Ã¢ÂÂ he said. Stats taken over 135 games show he is no Juninho, not in terms of goals, decisive or otherwise. And after two appearances in the Lyon shirt, he appears to be right, even if it is early days.

However, the spotlight inevitably fell on his relationship with Lisandro LÃÂ³pez, last seasonÃ¢ÂÂs Ligue 1 Player of the Year and LyonÃ¢ÂÂs top scorer with 24 goals in all competitions. At first glance, the connection was disappointing, which can obviously be put down to a lack of playing time, but also some off the field issues.

Aulas didnÃ¢ÂÂt deny reports claiming Ã¢ÂÂLishaÃ¢ÂÂ clashed with Puel over pre-season training, admitting that there have been Ã¢ÂÂdifferences of opinionÃ¢ÂÂ between player and coach while also clarifying that he personally wrote to him to ask that he attend the Emirates Cup in August.

Having yet to see Gourcuff and Lisandro click, itÃ¢ÂÂs a pleasure to witness Jimmy Briand settling in so quickly, offering instant creativity. LyonÃ¢ÂÂs ÃÂ£5.4m signing from Rennes has already gone a long way towards paying them back, making four of their five goals this season.

So while at the moment PuelÃ¢ÂÂs side resembles a block of marble in need of a chisel and a Michelangelo, there is the potential for a polished piece of art to one day be unveiled at the Gerland. Whether it ever reveals itself fully under his tutelage remains to be seen. Puel seems to have an aversion to exhibition football.

Nevertheless, if the fans canÃ¢ÂÂt wait any longer, then there is the reassuring news that tonightÃ¢ÂÂs opponents in the Champions League, Schalke, have gotten off to an even poorer start, their worst in the Bundesliga for 23 years. Ã¢ÂÂLike us, Schalke are a wounded beast,Ã¢ÂÂ Puel said yesterday. What better time to bite back then?